Backyard Baking!

Jessi's birthday was a couple of weeks ago and since she loves to help me in the kitchen, we decided to have a baking party. Actually, I did all the baking before the party ever began. The kids got to do the best parts--decorate and eat. We invited 12 kids to our crazy backyard bash, and it turned out to be lots of fun. We had some darling apron invitations thanks to my friend Kezia, and I also used her cookie recipe, which you can find here. She told me they'd be good and she was right--they were delicious! Check out the recipe and make some. You won't be sorry. Here are some highlights of all the fun:

We had 2 stations: cupcakes and cookies. I made about 100 mini cupcakes and another 100 cookies. We had way too many, but I didn't want to run out. Besides, this way they got to decorate to their heart's content. We had every color of frosting and a huge assortment of sprinkles so they could all add just the right touch to their creations.

I made cake plates for everyone out of ice cream dishes and glass plates. Just tip the sundae dish upside down, glue the plate to the base of the sundae dish, and...voila!...instant mini cake plate. The kids loved them! I had planned on them decorating the cookies and cupcakes before putting them on the plate, but they insisted they needed to decorate everything while they were on the plate. Just about drove me nuts, but whatever makes them happy...

Here's Jessi trying to decide what to decorate next...oh, the possibilities!

After the decorating, we paused long enough to open presents.

Then it was back to decorating for some of the kids, while others took a trampoline break. Ali was supposed to be my party helper, but notice she did more decorating than helping. Actually, it turned out I didn't need much help once the party began because the kids were so engrossed in their decorating.

Here's Jessi's birthday cake. We didn't eat it at the party, though. I hadn't planned on the kids eating almost everything they decorated. I'm pretty sure that I didn't want any sick kids even if the party was in my backyard. Note the rolled fondant on the cake--my first attempt thanks to Davis who insisted I channel my inner Cake Boss. I must say it was lots of fun to make. I used a homemade buttercream fondant recipe that was delicious and easy to use!

I also made aprons for all the girls (and boy) to take home as well. Along with the aprons, I sent the kids home with whatever was left on their cake plates and an apology to the moms for the sugar high.

Oh, the things we do for our kids! Happy birthday Jessi. I love you.

Visitors to our Yard.

In Memory

In memory of a wonderful Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma.

We love you and miss you.

Way Better Than Seeing Audra McDonald

Yesterday morning our family had an great experience at Temple Square. It was a special opportunity for us to attend Music and the Spoken Word, and this was one day we weren't going to miss. The last time we went to Music and the Spoken Word was December 2004 when Audra McDonald was the guest artist. And that was an amazing performance. Audra McDonald. Singing live. Phenomenal. Yesterday was an even bigger day because we were there to see my mom. Singing for the last time with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Way better than seeing Audra McDonald. And if you know how much I love Broadway, that's a pretty big statement.

**Sidenote unrelated to my love for  Audra McDonald or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir: David Archuleta--talented as well,  don't want to offend-- was a spectator at this performance of Music and the Spoken Word. To see a good paparazzi picture of David A. meeting Elder Oaks, visit my brother Steven's blog, but don't forget to come back here to finish reading this post :)

After the broadcast, they had a retirement ceremony honoring each of the retiring choir members for their service. The choir rules are that you can be a member for either 20 years or until you turn 60, whichever comes first. Every April, they have a retirement ceremony for that year's retirees.

Mom receiving her "thank you" from Mac Wilberg.

Mom receiving a plaque from President Monson, Choir President Mac Christensen, and Mac Wilberg.

Ali, Jessi, and Davis got to pose for a picture with Grandma in front of the famous organ pipes.

Jessi loves to pose for pictures.

The flowers (and the children) at Temple Square are beautiful this time of year!

We are so grateful, Mom, for your willingness to share your talent and love of music with the world. We will miss playing "Where's Grandma" during Music and the Spoken Word  and General Conference as well as any other time we see the choir. We are grateful for your example of service by sacrificing countless hours for practices and performances and cross-country tours in order to share your testimony through music. When you joined the choir, Ali was 8, Davis was 7, and Jessi wasn't even born yet! Because the choir has been such a big part of your life, it has become a part of ours as well. We will miss hearing about your experiences, but at the same time are glad to have you "back". We are proud of you, Mom, and we love you.

Under the Sea

I'm slowly getting the videos off the camcorder and converted to .mpg format, so I'll post this year's dances as I get them done. Here's Jessi in her first performance of Under the Sea. She did a great job and had lots of fun!

Jessi's Highlights

I posted some pictures of Ali, and now it's Jessi's turn. This is her first year in performing dance, and after one performance she informed me she loves it. When I asked her if she was scared, nervous or excited she responded with an ear-to-ear grin and two thumbs up--a pretty good endorsement. Here are some photo highlights of her dances to Under the Sea and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (by the Chipettes, much to my dismay). Oh, and notice the awesome photo job by Sean in capturing that C-jump in the 3rd picture. I'm still working on getting that video footage off our camcorder. Who knew it would be this hard?

Funky Divas

It looks like I finally got the video to work, so here is Ali with the rest of the 9th graders in their hip hop dance. Enjoy!